Physicians’ perspectives on the perceived increase in respiratory infections post-COVID-19 in Pakistan: a qualitative study
BMC Infectious Diseases·
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12879-026-13677-w
- PMID
- 42237238
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- —
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The reported trends underscore requirements for enhanced diagnostic capacity, coordinated immunization efforts, and tighter medication regulation to manage worsening respiratory disease loads.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
What are clinicians' views regarding the reported surge in respiratory illnesses after the pandemic, along with associated risk factors and management obstacles?
Study design
A qualitative exploratory approach employing semi-structured interviews and inductive thematic analysis.
Population and setting
Twenty medical practitioners employed in both public and private sectors within Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Main findings
Clinicians noted higher rates and greater intensity of upper and lower respiratory conditions following widespread viral circulation. Participants linked these patterns to suspected immune deficits, existing health issues, environmental conditions, and shifts in patient habits. Unregulated medication consumption was also highlighted as a primary catalyst for escalating drug resistance.
Public-health relevance
The reported trends underscore requirements for enhanced diagnostic capacity, coordinated immunization efforts, and tighter medication regulation to manage worsening respiratory disease loads.
Important limitations
Data derive solely from professional opinions rather than measured clinical outcomes. The sample originates from two urban centers, which restricts geographic generalizability.
GIDS interpretation
This work supplies thematic context about regional clinical observations and documented practice patterns following extensive viral exposure. Such publications can help frame future observational priorities without suggesting real-time event tracking.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 13 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.